Your Responses

Jim Campbell - Jan '08
Re: the Hood Family and the enquiry about the Hoods - Ferry wrecked on the rocks at Ferris Point.

I cannot comment on that as I was down the West Coast of Africa at that time on the M.V. Reventazon Ëlder and Fyffes banana boat, but Dougies father, Johnny Hood was swept to the Scottish coast during a gale when the boats engine conked out. He almost set the boat on fire when he made a fire in the boat to attract attention. If I remember correctly Larne community had a boat built for him to replace the one that was lost when he drifted to scotland. The boat was called the Larnes Pride. I remember her well. She had one side curved more than the other. Johnny used to let me steer her on occasion. One time when going across the ebb tide to the dock under Larne pier I misjudged the docking and hit into the stern of the other ferry boat he had moored alongside, doing considerable damage to the transom stern, Johnny wasnt too pleased, yet he never scolded me.
At the time I was a close friend of Jimmy Hood, who was quite the sportsman and a great footballer. Jimmys brother Ingelby was drowned after he moored the ferry boat to an offshore bouy and was transferring to the punt to row ashore.
Yes the ferry did land at Ballylumford when there were strong winds and sea that made using the pier close to Ferris Pt. dangerous to attempt. At the head of the pier was the ferry hut for waiting passengers. Jimmy and I used to spend hours with a football shooting into the door of the hut.
Jimmy could use both feet but I was no good with the left!!
I too lived at Ferris Point lighthouse and used the ferry to go to school, and then get the train to Belfast and then a tram to school, not easy. In the winter before the ferry ran I had to take a bus to Whitehead and then the train and tram, not easy by todays standards.
By the way my name is Jim Campbell, older brother of Denis. Our brother Jack died in 1982 not far from me, near Montreal, where I live at present.

Gary TJ Playforth - Mar '07
I too have Ogilby ancestors from Kilwaughter. Although I am not too sure if they are the exact same Ogilbys. Could be a connection.

Janice Campbell McCreanor - June '06
I'm trying to find out more on the Hood family who ran the Islandmagee to Larne Ferry in the 1800's. Jane Hood's family ran the ferry service. She was my great granmother married Dan Crawley. They had one daughter Jane Crawley, (born 1883 and died 1971) who married William Haggan.

Glen Brown - April '06
Hi Mervyn,
Regarding the wee sweet shop next to the Regal Cinema.
In the late 50s into early 60s, my late Father was friendly with Mr Cosh the proprietor. When I was old enough to go with my Father to watch a film at the Regal cinema we often called into Mr Cosh's. Mr Cosh used to always gave me a small white paper bag containing cinnamon lozengers, oval shaped, salmon pink and (very) hard. This I think was to be keep me happy while they chatted about about more serious things like, Larne FCs triumphs or disasters during their previous or forthcoming matches. Dad always bought Mum, Fry's Turkish Delight, Five Boys, Peppermint Cream and/or a bar of Bournville chocolate, her favourites. They shared a great laugh when Dad announced his recent Big Win on his weekly Littlewoods Football Coupon, winning three shillings (15p). I was given the privilege to cash the postal order at the late Billy Boyd's post office in Waterloo Road.

Mervyn Farrell - Jan '06
This is a, long overdue, reply to Michael Curran the Shipyard in Larne. My Grandfather, James Lappin, was the manager of this yard and in later years after retiring he owned and ran the wee sweetshop at Barnhill beside the Regal cinema.

Greg Hopkins - June '05
Came across Raymond Hopkins's request for information on the Hopkins and Ogilby families. My side of the family had connections with Islandmagee, Kilwaughter and Belfast, and Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand, so I should be able to help in his research.

Raymond Hopkins - May '05
Do you know if the william hopkins ( see main article ) you are talking about are related to the hopkins from boneybefore in carrickfergus as their relatives are from the hollow. my great great uncle was called william hopkins but he is buried in taiwan. my relatives all hopkins willam/hugh/jim/samuel/matidla/john. it would be great if you had any information.

Gillian Cordner (nee Barnhill) - February'05
I am researching my family tree and am trying to find out about Barnhill Terrace....why it was named Barnhill terrace (as this is a very unusual family name), when it was renamed and why? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Marie Hood [Brown] - January '05
(in response to Barbara MacKenzie's message below ). Dougie, Agnes and Ingelby were related to me; I am the daughter of Carlyle Hood, Barnhill terrace, Larne. My father had a large family- sarah, iris, kate, norris, preston, colwyn and leslie.
I would like to know more.

Michael Curran - December '04
Would anyone have information on the Old Shipyard at Larne Harbour? I remember the name Mr Pickin, who I believe may have been the owner. Any information appreciated.

Barbara Mackenzie - May '04
I`m trying to find out more re Hood family - Johnny Hood ran Islandmagee to Larne ferry and then his son Dougie ran it until his retirement. Dougie died this year. He was my uncle.